The Wallabies are anew after registering their first win in 2023 and a crucial cog in Eddie Jones’ new “F1” supercar are his halfbacks.
Tate McDermott, Nic White and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa all bring a unique set of skills and attributes to the role, but all are charged with maintaining the tempo of the attack.
Unfortunately, McDermott has been sidelined due to a mandatory 12-day stand-down period after sustaining a concussion against Georgia.
While losing McDermott is a blow, the Wallabies have the stocks to fill the position.
But to find the next man up we must understand why McDermott has risen to the top of the pecking order and who is the best player to start against Fiji on Sunday (Monday, 1:45am AEST).
Tate McDermott will miss the Wallabies’ second Rugby World Cup fixture against Fiji because of a concussion. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
McDermott gives the Wallabies speed at the ruck, a sniping threat around the breakdown and a youthful energy which tests the limits.
White is an older and more experienced player that prefers structure, poise and box kicking.
Fines-Leleiwasa is the perfect mix of both, his passing accuracy was higher than both White and McDermott during Super Rugby Pacific, and his all-round game is somewhere in between the two in style.
Against Georgia, the pace of the game considerably dropped when White replaced McDermott in the 34th minute.
This observation in of itself says little, but in the context of how the Wallabies want to play and when they look their best, this says a great deal.
The Wallabies have the team to power their way through and around teams, that’s why McDermott’s pace around the ruck when either passing or sniping is crucial.
The scarcity at which he puts boot to ball means the Wallabies attack the opposition, probing and ask questions of them. This is vital for a team that has a huge bag of tricks they can call-upon.
It also means the Wallabies play off Carter Gordon, the five-eighth, putting width on the attack, forcing defensive lines to work harder, to make more decisions and at times fracture.
Nic White and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa are battling it out to start against Fiji following Tate McDermott’s (L) concussion. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Despite McDermott’s pass still being below standard, he still gets to the breakdown early and attracts attention, relieving some pressure off his five-eighth and forwards.
Not allowing the defence to settle also means the Wallabies’ fitness comes into play earlier in the game.
This is not to say White doesn’t bring his own specialties to the game.
His kicking is elite compared to the other two and he was unlucky not to bag a 50/22 against Georgia early in the second half. His pass is also miles ahead of the other two, Fines-Leleiwasa or McDermott cannot rocket the pill off both hands as fast as White.
White’s issue isn’t his speed at the breakdown or pass. It’s that White is playing a different gameplan to the rest of his Wallaby teammates. What he is doing is not wrong, it’s just not right.
Simply put; he kicks way too often and sometimes slows down the play on purpose as though slow monotonous rugby is his idea of a well-run team.
His kicks against Georgia were for the most part great, but they are not achieving the same thing as the rest of the patterns are.
White is kicking off instinct, it feels like he gets to certain breakdowns, and he thinks ‘this is when I should kick.’
While at times Gordon miskicks because of his inexperience, White kicks the ball because of his plethora of experience. This is a learned behaviour and as anyone coach will tell you un-learning is harder than new learning.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones talks with Nic White during a Wallabies training camp at Sanctuary Cove on April 17, 2023. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
His kicking also voids the great tools the Wallabies have at their disposal; a cross-field kick to the aerially threatening wingers, through the hands to the tackle-busting centres or a simple pod play to the damaging ball carriers in the pack.
Whether it is White or Fines-Leleiwasa who should start against Fiji, the debate is not binary.
Fines-Leleiwasa is not only the wild-child who can play Helter Skelter and White is an old dog who can learn new tricks.
He is more than capable of playing a composed game and his decision making about when to run is on par if not better than McDermott’s.
He also has pace to burn and is a more physical than White and McDermott.
You can flip the script one of two ways; first, start with a player to get you a lead and bring on the finisher to close it out.
This would see Fines-Leleiwasa start to assist with the Wallabies’ fast-paced starts and have White off the bench to close the game out with his boot. He can also kick a penalty from 50m out, which against a flying Fijian team may be required.
Australia’s Issak Fines-Leleiwasa had a strong debut against France in late August. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
The second option is having the calm, experienced player to start to try structure a win and have a livewire on the bench to pick-up the pace and chase a lead if needed.
The former is most in-line with Eddie Jones’ mantra, and it would suit the Wallabies’ game-plan better.
Starting Fines-Leleiwasa is much more like-for-like for McDermott and it would give the team an edge to continue their track record of fast starts.
It wouldn’t be fighting Fiji fire-with-fire, it is rather staying true to the new version of the Wallabies and will give them the best opportunity for continuity in their new gameplan.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Well explained John, loving reading what both you and Cec have to say. Now, Chile just scored... back to the rugby!
Cec
Roar Rookie
Thanks John of course happy to debate/chat about rugby & nice to see these references come in to support an opinion. Yes we see the game differently and happy to disagree on the above references, i.e. on the 36th minute White looks but also gets the ball out in <2sec once the ball is presented for both rucks and on 3rd phase Nick has to dig that ball out and puts up an excellent box kick on our side of halfway which Marky drops, but look again with CG way out of play with the backline in front of him and only BD 10m behind him; so there’s no overlap the play was to kick and everyone, except guys at the ruck, were up behind Nick ready to chase his kick. At 41:12 I don’t see the issue as that ball gets out in less than 3secs when presented and Ritchie is calling for a pod ball but there is no pod support behind so Nick should be saying wtf there. Marika had to come in off the wing instead of another forward to clean with Bobby. At the 50:22, I’m going to call BS on this criticism of Nick in particular; why do you think White had to hold the ball in the ruck? Could it be it was off a clearing kick and not everyone was racing back, our ruck was getting pushed back and Nick nearly got knocked off his feet digging in for the ball or because half the team were still coming back on side (or all the above). If White plays fast there we lose that ball on the next ruck. You do not always play fast and need to understand when to vary the tempo based on what you see and I saw some tired bodies trying to get back on side to support next phase. That was the right play from Nick. At 54:43 yes that was poor execution & needed to be shorter or kept in hand from White but thankfully he raced back to make an excellent one on one tackle that allowed Thor to play at 10 for a few moments. If Marky is to be used as an aerial threat in the attacking half then when is Nick allowed to box kick? From some articles and comments here the answer seems to be “never” which is contrary to Eddie’s strategy. Given perspective on the box kick, I believe Nick only had 3 of these kicks which is far short of “too often” or “loves the box kick”. If Marky and Suli are still high ball attacking options then Nick does have to box kick to execute Eddie’s strategy. At 63:17 Suli had just tried to lay the egg back & he did it poorly as he’s lying on top of the ball so how is Nick meant to pick that up quickly? Despite this Nick clears in 4sec, the following phases up until Marky’s penalty turnover Nick clears in 1-3sec. So I don’t get what the issue is here. In the 6N earlier this year the broadcasters made a point of showing the ruck clearance speeds broken to 1-3 sec, 4-6 sec and so forth. I noted that FRA and IRE worked on 75% within that 1-3 sec. I guess I’m just saying Nick is ‘slow’ compared to whom? This game Nick was clearing at this fast rate. Tate was not clearing any faster or slower. Tate also has his own decision making issues & It starts at the 1:24 with his crabbing for such a short pass and in those phases Tate does his own looking around and holding the ball throughout the half which happens more than people seem to realise. At 8:25 that was quite poor decision making from Tate with defenders at the 1,2,3 spots off the ruck, the run wasn’t on with a total of 5 defenders in that narrow channel and 4 WB which means numbers for us wider. WB were lucky to retain that ball with Tate resorting to a flick pass whilst in the tackle (a big no no for coaches). At 10:40 Tate needs to make that pass left to right instead of running out inside our 22m. He needs to be on his feet for the next phase to pass to our 10/15 & clear us out of that zone. That was high risk for little reward as we’re over 80m away from the try line. 12:08 what is Tate waiting for with both hands on the ball and everyone on side ready to chase? That was also a slow box kick there and nearly charged down. At 15:04 this is the just a brain snap from Tate, why is he kicking for touch from a penalty as he’s not the 10/15 taking those kicks? It doesn’t go out so turnover! A classic example of why you don’t always play fast. At 28:50 again trying to beat 3 at a set ruck defence and having to resort to an offload in the tackle, then crabbed again next phase. At 32:30 again trying to beat 3 defenders running towards the side line and nearly pulled out but this time resorted to a blind flick pass! The play there was to pass back to Porecki to hit it up or towards the rest of the support not sea gulling. At 33:28 Thor moved in at 9 and proceeds to pass a bullet left to right better than Tate LOL. Thor gets a second phase in as 9 and makes another nice pass. Tate then takes over at 33:40 and proceeds to crab across again but this time passes it straight to the Georgian. These last three phases would be comical if it weren’t so sad from our test 9. This is quite possibly the worst 34mins of rugby I’ve ever seen Tate play. It was selfish play and error ridden trying to play up tempo or going himself for glory to then just turnover the ball. I’m now wondering if his lack of passing range is leading to his crabbing and poor running choices. Thanks for those websites you referenced which also show that guys like DuPont, Mitchell, Faf kicked as much or more from 9 than White last week. The most recent podcast from Brett & Harry referred to this tournament to be a kicking tournament because of the conditions so White will have plenty to offer to support CG & BD. Perhaps that’s not what AUS supporters want to see from their 9 or perhaps they just don’t like White for various reasons and hone in on “‘too much kicking’ to justify a preference. I think Tate will come good with his passing and kicking at some stage but he’s not there yet with these primary core skills at 9.
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@graymatter As a Brumbies fan I'm advising that losing White is a big blow to the Ponies. He moved for well documented reasons. And nothing ironic about him competing against IFL at the Force either. IFL will obviously be benched. Then he'll have the choice of either being a sub player, or moving to another province/club. As all the other Aussie provinces have better halfbacks than him he'll likely be off to Japan soon. He'd be well advised to move in 2024 actually :thumbup:
Chronicle
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the reply. Difficult to go in depth without access to replays at moment but from memory 3 of White’s box kicks appeared to be from calls from the men out wide. Given he kicked 7 that only leaves 3 being his call. Again overlaps out wide are the responsibility of the outside men and 10 to communicate not the 9 approaching a ruck he should be scanning the opposition line and listening for calls. If anything it appears that White may be listening too much. In comparison McDermott first instinct appears to be run but in stats I saw from the Bledisloe games his running metres were negligible his kicks in play nos you may have I don’t but he certainly box kicked on several occasions so it appears this is the coaches plan. Thanks again for the detailed response enjoy your work.
John Ferguson
Expert
Thanks TDando! And thanks for your comment! I totally agree, playing eyes up rugby is crucial and I think it is something this team is getting better at week by week. My concern is that White is doing too much thinking and trying to run the show too much. He needs to just follow the flow of the game. In regards to box kicks I have highlighted some timecodes which the boxkick was not the option against Georgia in a reply to a comment by Cec. Aaron Smith of NZ is an excellent example of a 9 who plays with his head up. No one is as good as Aaron Smith at this, not even close, he is awesome to watch isn't he? I totally agree!
John Ferguson
Expert
Hey Chronicle I have posted some stats above to one of Cec's comments. Do with those what you will, but I do have evidence to back-up what I am writing. otherwise i wouldn't write it, it's not how I roll. I write objectively and without emotion, no agenda. Merely pointing out what appears to be the best way for the Wallabies forward. Have a read, let me know what you think. :rugby:
John Ferguson
Expert
Cheers Paul!
John Ferguson
Expert
Cheers Grev!
TDAndo
Roar Rookie
Good article John, and I agree with your general thesis that IFL is ‘truer’ to the new Wallabies Way, particularly if we are looking forward to the Lions and next RWC. Jones still has some credits in the bank for bolder decisions, I would love him to use them. My own 10c worth on the 9s though – and this is an impression/opinion not a statistically-backed fact – is that playing to structure and gameplay means they arrive at the ruck with a pre-determined outcome, not with their heads up and looking to see what opportunities exist, particularly when momentum is building through fast ball at the breakdown. (I can’t believe that I am about to write this but…) look at the really good halves in Rugby League, they arrive at the ruck with their heads up and their eyes forward at the opposition, looking for the play to make. If the box kick is the right answer to the problem, then fine, play the box kick. But arrive at the breakdown looking for the ‘right play’…don’t arrive at the breakdown knowing what job you are about to do. This (I think) is what is meant when coaches say they want players to play what’s in front of them. Although I find him very hard to like, Aaron Smith of NZ is an excellent example of a 9 who plays with his head up.
John Ferguson
Expert
Hey Cec, I am not sure where you are getting your figures from but according to: - https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/match/pool-c-australia-georgia#stats - https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/playerstats?gameId=596157&league=164205 White passed 49 times, kicked 7. (47 minutes played) McDermott passed 32 times, kicked 1. (34 minutes played) That stat alone should be enough to show there is a discrepancy in tactic and play style. That is majority of my thesis in this piece. - 36th minute: he's slow to clear the ball in three consecutive rucks and then he boxkicks when Gordon has 7 v 5 overlap to the left and an overlap on his right. - 37:16 the Wallabies make 30 metres in 3 phases and White boxkicks again with overlaps either side inside the Georgian 40m. - 41 he is again slow to clear by choice, he get's there with plenty of time. the first 3 rucks. - 54:49 White boxkicks again deep into the 22m when the Wallabies had possession inside the 40m - Plays a really good passage from around about the 60th+ wiht some great tempo. - 63:14 he is once again surveying his options before he gets to the ruck. slowing the play down intentionally. - 68th They don't score Donaldson's second try like that without White's width on his pass. that was a crucial element of that try. There's my evidence Cec. His love for the boxkick as well as constantly waiting until all of his players are set slows down the play in more ways that one. His passing game provides width, time and space for first receiver. This I totally agree with. Also crabbing across can by you time or be a death trap for your players, depending on the defensive line style, against the Boks it would be death but against Georgia not so much. I am not at all saying White is a bad player, merely that he has not been in-sync with the rest of the Wallabies' gameplan and that negatively impacts the team and disrupts continuity. Also, I really appreciate you commenting, debating and discussing rugby analysis, that's what the Roar is all about.
John Ferguson
Expert
Hey Cec, I am not sure where you are getting your numbers from but according to this: https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/match/pool-c-australia-georgia#stats And this: https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/playerstats?gameId=596157&league=164205 White kicked 7 times, McDermott kicked 1. I think that difference should be enough to show a difference in tactic, that is a lot of the thesis of my article. McDermott made 17 less passes than White (49) and had 9 minutes less on the field. You'd think he would be at around the same numbers had their played 40/40. I have said several times in the comments that White has the best core skillset and if you look at the 36th minute he is constantly surveying his options once he arrives at the breakdown three consecutive times, he should know where he is going before he gets there. And then he Box kicks at 36:31 when the Wallabies have a 7 on 5 overlap. -At 37:18 he happens again, delaying the pass. He always gets their it's just that he doesn't pass it right away. Then at 37:36 he box kicks on the 3rd phase after the Wallabies made 40m of ground (They were inside the 40m). Gordon has a whole backline outside him waiting on the left. Even an overlap on the right. - 41:12 he is at the ruck he just doesn't give it, he waits. - 50:22 he holds the ball at the base for 12 seconds. - 54:43 he again waits and in the subsequent ruck at about 30m out he puts up a box kick. -From the 60-62nd minute he plays really quick, great timing and urgency. - 63:17 for the next passage each ruck slows. - Donaldson's second try won't have happened like that without White's width on his pass to Gordon -White gets injured around the 70th and would be unfair to analyse anything after that. Upon watching the game for a third time, the biggest difference between the two is what happens at the base of the ruck. White usually slows it down on purpose, boxkicks more and waits for everything to be set. His pass is crisper and travels faster. McDermott has a quicker tempo in general and listens to the calls around him, it resulted in the Petaia try. He is more instinctive and erratic and itkeeps the defence on their toes, which White's style does not. There is my evidence Cec. Cherry picking kick stats and saying that a halfback running across field puts more pressure on the 10 is not a fair and objective assessment of the what happened in the game and is too much of a generalisation about rugby, it would depend on the type of defence, against SA it wouldn't work. His passing game provides width, time and space for first receiver. This I agree with entirely. Just to let you know, I am not offended in the slightest I actually love the in-depth rugby chat and analyses with those who take the time to comment and offer differing interpretations of the game. :stoked: It's what the Roar is all about, discussion and debate. :rugby:
John Ferguson
Expert
Cheers Bourkos!
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Yep, He wanted more money than they were prepared to pay. I think\ its a great result for the Brumbies. Whats ironic is that he's going to the Force where he'll be competing with Fines!
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
It’s obvious White isn’t test level. So slow. No threat. One dimensional. His box kicking is aimless. He’s a relic.
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@Ozinsa I totally agree with you N White. He's by far the WBs best halfback. But all this over-rating of Isaac F-L is total fantasy. He's simply never delivered any of the things attributed to him by John F and others. Isaac F-L is just a decent provincial level halfback imo. I rate him 5th best in australia behind White, Lonergan, McD and Gordon :thumbup:
frisky
Roar Rookie
Does anybody know why White had to leave the Brumbies?
Adam
Roar Guru
But because of his passing width he offers more passing options...
ShortBlind
Roar Rookie
Agree re IFL and to be frank I think people are over thinking this 9 issue. Dupont is such a threat because he can pass, run and kick and no one knows when/what he will do. This makes the defence focus on him and gives space to his 10. Of the Aussi 9’s 1. White can pass and kick but no running threat (any more). 2. Tate can run and kick (not so well) but no passing threat. 3. IFL can do it all and the most like Dupont if only on potential. If giben some consistent game time, IFL will shine and own the position for a few years….and I’m saying this as a Reds fan. I hope EJ gives hm a fair crack.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Thanks Dusty, this tournament so far is all about the best kicking team and with fewer rucks formed in their half. By the way, Nick only kicked 6 times. 3 kicks were contested to Msrky, one was a clearance out of our 22 and the last two were probably ones he’d like to have again but we soon got the ball back off Georgia’s exit kick. In the opening sequences of the game Tate was actually holding the ball in the ruck. In Tate’s final pass to JP for his try, Tate had to look around both open and short side before picking up the ball and that was not the only time. I wonder if Tate is playing too fast or not seeing his long options as he approaches the ruck, as his first choices are short passes or run it seems, but I’ll have to rewatch more of Tate’s games. Nick had several passes off the ruck at +15m and if you’re looking to attack the wider spaces then the pass always beats the run. I hope Tate continues to improve and work in his vision and pass because at some stage he’ll lose half a step.
Chronicle
Roar Rookie
John you keep saying he his slow to make a decision but the stats show that not to be true. At which point do we believe what is actually happening or continue to believe what we think is happening. Looking at the stats I am afraid a lot of your article does not stand up to daylight and is merely your opinion which you are certainly entitled but please do not pass it off as facts which in truth show you to be wrong. White can and has played up tempo and did so in the Georgia game. Tate is kicking more and running less under Jones game plan but still takes a step in the pass and is a little loopy at times. Different opinions I know and opinions is all they are.